Can Adam Fox become the next NHL 90-point defenseman?

The New York Rangers have certainly been blessed with their fair share of elite defensemen. From Harry Howell in the 1960s to Brad Park in the 1970s to the glory days of Brian Leetch and Sergei Zubov, there’s been no shortage of blue line talent.

However, what 2021 Norris Trophy recipient Adam Fox has accomplished in only his third season in New York has been nothing short of incredible, and some records are sure to be broken by the end of his seven-year extension.

In the near future, one benchmark to keep an eye on while Fox continues to develop in his prime is how many points he will score in a single season.

The league has seen what the former Harvard standout can do on both ends of the ice, so it’s time to consider what impressive feats Fox could accomplish by the time he hangs up his skates.

Joining elite company

Some NHL legends such as Bobby Orr and Paul Coffey tallied over 130 points in unbelievable seasons throughout their respective careers, and last player to score over 80 points is San Jose’s Brent Burns, who finished with 83 in the 2018-19 season.

Preceding Burns in the record books is his now current Sharks teammate in Erik Karlsson, who scored 82 points while playing for Ottawa in 2015-16.

The player that Fox that has been synonymously linked to since he became a star on Broadway is Leetch, and the Hall of Famer appears on this list multiple times, with his highest scoring campaign going all the way back to 1991-92, when he ended with 102.

While Fox still has a long career ahead of him, it is certainly worth mentioning some of the top names who have provided the blueprint for dominating in the regular season. No defenseman in the 21st century NHL has come that close to the 100-point mark, and keeping Burns’ current record in mind, reaching 90 points is a more realistic goal for Fox to chase.

Hitting the three digits point total is certainly not out of the question, but there are many reasons why the Blueshirts superstar could hit 90 within the next few years.

Impressive stats

Fox may only be in the midst of his third NHL campaign, but over the past two seasons, his numbers don’t lie.

His rookie year saw the defenseman finishing with 42 points (eight goals and 34 assists) in 70 games played. No one could predict what would happen in his second breakout year.

Fox’s sophomore season was that impressive, and if the league did not have a shortened COVID-19 season and he kept this trajectory over a normal 82 game season, he would have scored seven goals and finished with 69 points.

Nonetheless, his 47 points scored (five goals and 42 assists) in 55 games played was stellar and led to his eventual Norris Trophy title.

After finishing with two assists in the 5-2 Black Friday victory over his Long Island friend Charlie McAvoy and the Boston Bruins, Fox is still dominating offensively through 20 games in 2021-22.

His 21 points (four goals and 17 assists) is currently tops for an NHL defenseman, and he is showing no signs of stopping after collecting three two-point performances in his last seven games.

If Fox continues this type of play throughout the first full season since the pandemic, his point totals could already top Karlsson or Burns’ marks, as he’s scoring at an 86 point pace. It also helps that he’s on an up-and-coming New York squad primed to break out of their rebuilding phase and into playoff contention.

An ideal Rangers situation

As shown in their 13-4-3 record so far this season, head coach Gerard Gallant’s revamped lineup has still allowed for the team’s stars to shine in the scoring column.

His top line pairing with Ryan Lindgren was a match made in heaven, as the duo is among the most balanced in the NHL, specifically with the combination of Fox’s offense and Lindgren’s defense.

Fox’s elite passing ability and hockey IQ boosts the play of everyone around him, and he puts his teammates in perfect opportunities to score virtually every game. Assists will be key to large point totals every season, as his gifted ability to keep teams guessing while maneuvering along the blue line adds to his arsenal of moves.

Fox has also shown he can frequently put the puck in the back of the net from all areas of the ice by already scoring one goal less than his 2020 season total. He’s also putting up these numbers every game on a Rangers team that have not put up goals like they have the past two seasons.

Fox’s quarterback role on the first power play unit alongside some of the best goal-scorers in the game in Artemi Panarin, Mika Zibanejad, and Chris Kreider should also continue to bolster his offensive production. This is a luxury Gallant and even former coach David Quinn realized in the Rangers special teams, which has also allowed Fox to frequently play the majority of the minutes on the man advantage.

Because he has such an important role in the Rangers core, one last reason that makes him invaluable and ready to reach new heights is his durability.  Fox’s innate ability to elude opposing checks and avoid injury will be crucial for long-term success. He’s only missed one game in his three seasons.

Keeping all these factors in mind, Fox will likely put up elite point totals for the entirety of his extension, making the 90-point goal plausible as the Rangers look to become Stanley Cup contenders over the next few years.

Don’t be surprised if he reaches this milestone sooner rather than later.